Health Scan: Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oisín Quinn

Oisín Quinn competing in the Dublin City Triathlon 2013. Photograph: David Maher/Sportsfile

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?Yes. In 2009, when I was about 40, I injured my back and it was probably the best thing that happened to me. I was completely out of shape. I didn’t have good back posture or core strength. I put two disks out.

The one activity that gave me good mobility in my lower back was swimming. I started swimming every morning. It got me into thinking would I take up triathlon and that got me back on the bike. By the time I started to take up running again this summer, I had got my weight down to 12.5 stone and I can now run without aggravating my back. How often do you exercise?Five or six times a week. I particularly like swimming and the bike. I swim 1-1½km in Rathmines pool and I swim at Seapoint with the T3 Triathlon Club. I cycle 30-50km at the weekend.

Do you get your five a day?I get three or four a day. I drink smoothies in the morning and I try to eat fruit and vegetables later in the day.

Do you worry?Not that often, no. My take on things that would make me anxious or challenge me is to try to work on them. Before I was Lord Mayor I was a barrister. Where there is a lot at stake for the client, you put yourself in their shoes. I reduce my anxiety by being as prepared for a case as possible. As Lord Mayor, I find you break down the challenges and work through what you are trying to achieve in steps.

What do you do to relax?I enjoy exercise. Aside from that, I’m a mad Arsenal fan. I get a lot of enjoyment from following the ups and downs of the team.

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What’s your unhealthiest habit?I drink a lot of coffee and I probably don’t sleep enough. I drink five or six cups but I try to stop by mid-afternoon. Sleep can vary between four and six hours.